Wildfire burns 617 acres in New Jersey Pinelands
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is reporting a wildfire in Little Egg Harbor Township, at the edge of Bass River State Forest, and part of the Pinelands National Reserve.
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Firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service continued on Monday afternoon to battle a 617-acre wildfire in areas of Bass River State Forest in Burlington County and Little Egg Harbor Township in Ocean County.
The fire threatened about 30 structures, according to a statement by the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection. There have been no injuries or evacuations. However, Stage Road, Otis Bog Road, and Munion Field Road remain closed. Route 9, which had been closed Sunday, has been reopened.
Officials expect smoke to be visible for possibly days as the fire smolders.
State fire officials said the blaze was spotted around 4 p.m. Sunday from a fire tower at Bass River. It was inside a large, forested area with limited accessibility near Otis Bog Road in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Firefighters attempted controlled burns to prevent the fire from spreading to the Offshore Manor development where it threatened homes along Route 9. The Pinelands Middle School is designated as a shelter, though evacuation was voluntary.